Study on mechanism of italicWenjing Huoxue Decoction/italic （温经活血汤） in alleviating inflammation of rats with primary dysmenorrhea by inhibiting ferroptosis

Key Points

• This study aims to investigate how Wenjing Huoxue Decoction alleviates inflammation by inhibiting ferroptosis in a rat model of primary dysmenorrhea.
• 40 female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, model, Wenjing Huoxue Decoction, and ferroptosis inhibitor.
• A primary dysmenorrhea model was established using cold stimulation and hormone injections, excluding the control group.
• The treatment effects were evaluated by observing body twisting responses and measuring serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and GPX4.
• Compared to the control group, the model group showed significantly elevated serum TNF-α and IL-6 and reduced GPX4 (P<0.01), with noticeable mitochondrial damage.
• Both treatment groups had fewer twisting responses (P<0.01), reduced serum inflammation markers, and increased GPX4 levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01), along with improved mitochondrial damage.